Matt and I decided to go out to dinner for his birthday. It was a spontaneous decision and ended up being a wonderful evening. We are both so busy and even though we work together we don't always talk to each other during the day. So to go out to dinner with no distractions and just talk was an unexpected surprise. It is easy to forget how important it is to just have fun, no preparation, no planning, just go and do something you enjoy. I recommend finding the time to do something that makes you smile.

Make a philanthropic impact by collectively supporting local nonprofit organizations.

Pictures

Debbie speaking at the RTC-SAAC Community of Violence Symposium

Proclamation by the City of Coral Gables for Disability Awareness Month.

Happy Birthday Matt!

Supper Social Club Dinner for Disability Awareness Month

We had our first Supper Social Club Dinner on Monday, October 23rd at CPK in Coral Gables. It was a fun event and we are looking forward to planning our next dinner. We will let you know which restaurant in Coral Gables is selected for November.

Here is information about Sexual Assault from
MUJER, a local resource.

Sexual Assault

Rape and other crimes of sexual violence have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their communities. The crimes of sexual battery, child sexual abuse, stalking, marital rape and sexual harassment inflict trauma to survivors' physical and mental health and robs them of their sense of safety and well-being. The prevalence of rape also has wide-reaching impact on other cultural problems: rape is responsible for 11-20% of teenage pregnancies and for increased substance abuse and mental health problems including major depression, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rape is the most under-reported crime in America, so it is difficult to know how many lives are affected by sexual violence. The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that only 30.7% of victims report the crime to law enforcement.

One out of every eight adult women has been the victim of forcible rape, which is more than 12 million women in America.

In Florida, a sexual offense is reported to law enforcement every 42 minutes.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports that 12,388 sex offenses were reported in Florida in 2000.

Public benefit programs for people with disabilities, especially Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are not aimed at increasing assets and independence for people with disabilities as a result individuals with disabilities often have very limited income and few, if any, assets. The intent of asset building initiatives is that as individuals develop assets, they will be able to move out of poverty and remain out of poverty. Many asset building services for people with disabilities will NOT cause loss of critical SSA disability cash payments and essential health insurance such as Medicaid or Medicare.

"Just so you know, our two elevators are not working, so you'll have to use the stairs."

My husband, John, and I were driving to meet some friends for dinner the other night. We pulled into the parking garage near the restaurant and the ticket taker informed us that we'd have to use the stairs because their elevators were not working. "Well, that doesn't work for us because she's in a wheelchair" my husband said pointing at me. We quickly realized we'd have to leave and go elsewhere. There was nowhere to park. As we circled through the parking garage to turn around and leave, I got very angry. Why should I have to leave? Why should I be the one who has to miss out? Just because I can no longer climb stairs, I have to miss out on dinner with my friends? That just doesn't seem fair.

I'm still new to this and it can often be so frustrating. Not only do I face challenges at home in my daily activities such as getting dressed, showering, etc., the things most people take for granted being able to do so easily every day, but it seems to me at times the outside world is fighting me every step of the way...or every roll of the wheel.

The Wallet Card Project is a collaboration with DIG, CGPD, and UM-NSU CARD.

Updates

We training the 2017 Project SEARCH students this month. We had a wonderful time working with all of the students, teachers, the City of Miami Parks Department, and the City of Miami Police Department.

The traditional 9-5 work schedule was once the socially acceptable way of defining productivity. However, in more recent history, entrepreneurs and social organizations have changed the work environment to make more flexible and nontraditional work schedules the norm. Personally, I find that a more flexible work schedule does not limit productivity, but actually helps me to adapt to the various needs present because of the disability.

Life of an Entrepreneur

During college, my original plan was to become a physician. I've always had a love for medicine, and felt that medical school was the right path. However, the rigorous schedule during pre-med along with a full time job was far too much for me to manage physically. I found that a traditional school/work schedule was taxing on my body and did not allow me to be as fruitful as I could. Mornings have always been a challenge. To get up and ready as a wheelchair user may take an hour or longer more than the average. When you add requiring assistance to use the restroom into the mix, the stress being getting up and going before 9:00 am on a regular basis was difficult. Overtime, I opened myself up to creative possibilities, which led me to the life of an entrepreneur. I've been blessed to work for myself now for ten years - and it's been the best choice for my personal health. Ironically, as a business owner, I work many times over 40 hours a week - but on my own schedule. Now, that doesn't mean this lifestyle has led me to be a bum who sleeps in everyday, but instead allows me to get up and going with the ebbs and flows of my body - when I feel good, I do more. When I don't, I take it slower.

In a nutshell, Your Upward Journey: It Is Easier Than You Think!, is a three-part project (book, self-help seminars and merchandise sale). I intend to promote the book through self-help seminars and sale of merchandise, such as mugs, journals etc.